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Lancaster County launches court to handle domestic violence cases

Updated on August 11, 2017 at 4:43 PMPosted on August 11, 2017 at 9:36 AM

Lancaster County on Thursday held the first session of its newly created Domestic Violence Court, aiming at providing greater safety for victims, treatment for offenders, and making the process run more efficiently.

Lancaster County on Thursday held the first session of its newly created Domestic Violence Court, aiming at providing greater safety for victims, treatment for offenders, and making the process run more efficiently.(Provided photo)

Lancaster County launched a Domestic Violence court Thursday with the goal of providing a safe avenue for victims and immediate treatment for offenders, while more efficiently handling domestic violence cases.

A group of specialized prosecutors familiar with the intricacies of domestic-violence cases will handle the court's caseload. Attorneys from the Public Defender's Office will be on hand for defendants without private counsel.

Twelve defendants appeared before the court during its first session. The court will be held every other Thursday at the Lancaster County Courthouse.

About 600 misdemeanor and felony domestic-violence cases are referred each year to the Lancaster County District Attorney's Office, the office said in a news release. The domestic violence court is expected to handle 500 to 600 cases annually.

Magisterial District Judges will preside over court sessions, and preside over preliminary hearings and guilty plea hearings in summary cases.

Trials and pleas involving misdemeanor and felony charges will go before Lancaster County Judge Merrill Spahn.

According to the district attorney's office, the court's main goals are:

To protect victims and their families by getting defendants into court as quickly as possible without jeopardizing due process.

It also will minimize the number of times a victim must appear in court, and speed the process, with the goal of resolving cases within one to two months.

To reduce repeat offenses by offering immediate treatment for offenders. Parole and probation officials will be present during court sessions to facilitate treatment.